How to fly domestically?

Hi, this might seem like a silly question but I'm a very anxious person and doing things I'm not familiar with is a struggle from me. In a couple weeks, I will be flying from LAX (Los Angeles) to SFO (San Francisco) by myself for the first time. The last time I was on a plane, I was young so my parents took care of everything. If anyone could tell me a step by step detailed explanation on what to do and some tips… That would help me immensely. I will be flying with Southwest Airlines.

Go to the TSA website and make sure you understand what you may and may not take in your carry-on and checked luggage. Check your airline's website to make sure your luggage is the required size. Make sure you have the correct ID.

Be at the airport at least two hours before flight time. You will have to check in and get a boarding pass. That can usually be done online within 24 hours of flight time. If you don't do that at home, get one at the airline desk at the airport or from the self-serve kiosk nearby. If you're checking luggage, you do it there too. Once you have a boarding pass and have checked any luggage in, go to security, then go to the gate that it says on your boarding pass. Check the large screens that are here and there in the airport to see if your flight has been delayed and that the gate number hasn't changed. Be there by the boarding time that's on your boarding pass.

There are FIRST TIME people at Airports EVERYDAY.
You are not expected to know everything.
Step by Step You move the left foot forward and then the right. You alternate them by
controlling 200 different muscles.

Seriously. You are DEPARTING Los Angeles.

You go to the Departures level.

You KNOW which Airline you are using.

GO TO THAT AIRLINE check in area. No one can guess how you will get to Airport or where you might park to give you inch by inch directions.

Pretend it is a new mall and you use the maps and signs to find your way around.

The Airport has these things called PEOPLE dressed in UNIFORMS their job is to assist people find their way. They are not mind readers. YOU ASK them for directions if you need them.

I will be flying with Southwest Airlines. VERY GOOD you know the Airline. You KNOW your destination SFO

See not so hard. Now when you arrive at the Airport shall we guess if you are parking, taking a taxi, being dropped off by a friend or what?

Southwest Airlines operate out of terminal ONE there are NINE Terminals at the Airport .Follow the signs to TERMINAL ONE DEPARTURES

When you get to Terminal ONE you look for the Southwest Check in area. You WALK to it. Using the foot alternating thing.

You can use this guide for parking and other ways to get to the Airport.

This is the map for terminal ONE

It is the FIRST terminal when you arrive at the Airport.

You can check in online at home about 24 hours before departure. If you are not sure what to do you can use a HUMAN at the Airport to help you. Recommended for the FIRST TIME flyer.

The Human will direct you to security. After your security check you find your gate for the SFO flight.

IF you have time you should use the toilet. Much more comfortable than the one on the plane. IF you have more time you can get a beverage and something to eat. You could eat and drink NOW or take it with you to have on the flight. The flight is just over an hour so you do not need a lot of food or beverage.

As the Air on the plane is dry it is a good idea to drink some water before the flight. And have a beverage or two for the flight.

IF you get lost or confused there are UNIFORMED staff to assist you. YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING your first few minutes of being a First Time flyer. The return flight will be so much easier for the experienced traveler you will be.

I'm not about to list the key strokes one by one to check in or the number of steps from one place to the next.

Amazing that this exact same question was asked a few days ago.

As a FIRST TIME flyer suggest you be at the check in area about 3 hours before flight. It takes you just a bit longer to do the required things and find your way around. The next time 2 hours before will be enough time.

NO NEED to aim for being the last one on the plane. Your First Flight.

Carry on luggage. It does not matter what you call it. A bag, a purse, a duffel a computer bag, a knitting bag, your book bag. DOES IT FIT size medium, small or large means nothing. How many INCHES how many pounds.
South west website has the details.
Carry on items are limited to one bag plus one smaller, personal-type item. Southwest Airlines limits carryon bag dimensions to 10 x 16 x 24 inches.

A friendly reminder: If your carryon does not fit the dimensions above, we will be forced to check it at the gate. It will be safely stowed below the aircraft for the duration of your flight, and you will pick it up at baggage claim in SFO

Personal-type items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included). Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you, fitting within 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inch dimensions.

https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/index.html

If you have more luggage

Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per check piece of luggage. Overweight items from 51 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches will be accepted for an overweight and oversize baggage fee of $75 per item.
OVER is a simple word and you pay extra if you are OVER.

ALL BAGS MUST BE CHECKED IN 45 minutes before departure.

You can try online check in here.
https://www.southwest.com/air/check-in/index.html?forceNewSession=yes

If you can't figure it out DO NOT PANIC you can use the Human at the Airport.

As there's construction happening at the Airport it is good idea to plan for being there EARLY Exact directions of where to go can change day to day, hour to hour.

Have a nice flight. Watch your time it is easy to get distracted as you wander and explore the terminal.
Unplug one ear so you can hear announcements. Unglue you ear from your phone and unglue your eyes from your gadget. Turn your head side to side and PAY ATTENTION to what is happening around you.

It really is not very complicated. In one end and out the other onto your plane. LOTS of signs, information screens and HUMANS to help you find your way.
Getting there early also gives you some time to relax before you get on the plane.

Your second flight is a lot easier on you.

Wondering what you take in your luggage. TRY using a little common sense and read the TSA guide for what you can and can't take.

You are not required to stuff your bags to bursting capacity. A soft sided bag can be squeezed in to fit if it not crammed full.

https://www.tsa.gov/...ibring/all

MANY do not like to fly. Just the way it is.

Since you are flying Southwest, the first tip is to check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Southwest does not assign seats; instead, you board the plane in the order you check in. So the earlier you check in, the earlier you board, and the better choice of seats you have. You can get your boarding pass when you check in online; if you can't print it or send it to your smartphone, you can print a copy at the airport.

When you arrive at the airport, go to the Southwest departures terminal. The signs are super clear.

If you have checked luggage (for under the plane), go to the Southwest counter to drop it off. If you do not have checked luggage AND you have your boarding pass, then you can head straight to security.

At security you will have to remove your shoes, belt, jacket and put them through the scanner. Your carry-on bags will also go through. If you have any liquids/gels in your carry-on, then those will have to come out of your carry-on. Laptops also have to come out of your bag at security. You will go through a body scanner while your items are scanned, and then you pick up your items on the other side.

Then you follow the signs to your gate. This should be on your boarding pass, but you can also look at the electronic monitors. There will be clear signs pointing the way. Once at your gate, you just wait for boarding. They usually start boarding about 30-45 minutes before departure.

Once you land, you will follow the signs for baggage claim (if you checked bags) or ground transportation.

There are signs EVERYWHERE, so it's hard to get lost or turned around, even in the biggest airports.

I suggest looking at the TSA website (www.tsa.gov) for details on what can and can't go in your carry-on. The liquid/gel rule is of particular importance to note - all liquid/gel items in your carry-on must be in containers 3.4oz or smaller, and they must all go into a single 1qt Ziploc baggie. Again, you'll have to take that baggie out at security.

The thing to know about Southwest is that you will not have an assigned seat. You will have a letter and a number on your boarding pass- C24, for example. There will be signs at the gate for A, B, C. You line up behind the letter on your boarding pass. Check with the other passengers in line to get in numerical order- look for the person who is C23, for example, and get behind them. You get on the plane in that order and can sit in any vacant seat. They load the people who fly Southwest often first, so even if you check in right at 24 hours in advance, you may be in the B or C line.